Venice

About Venice

The City of Venice was settled after the Civil War in the late 19th century through the Homestead Act of 1862. A village beach resort was planned and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers provided the capital. Soon, schools, playgrounds, parks, and a civic center were built. At the turn of the century, when large industries were no longer economically viable and environmentally practicable, Venice transformed into a tourist destination. Venice boasts 14 miles of beaches from Casey Key to Manasota Key. Venice is home to a plethora of small businesses and popular restaurants and Venice Beach is located right on the Gulf of Mexico. Venice is primarily a sleepy fishing town; from early spring to late fall, Venice Beach  tourists primarily look forward to fishing. The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico attract a wide variety of fish species, including the incredibly large king mackerel. The other fishes to catch while trawling the coast are groupers, Spanish mackerels, mangrove snappers, blackfin tunas, cobias, and greater amberjacks. Besides fishing, Venice Beach offers international gastronomic delights, from steaks to seafoods, from Cuban and Mexican to Italian, Indian, and Chinese cuisines. Year-round, Venice is a popular destination for finding and collecting shark teeth. Venice is known as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World." Most restaurants offer live entertainment and are conveniently located near shopping centers, such as the Bird Bay Plaza, the Tamiami Trail, the Brickyard Center, and the Jacaranda Plaza. Venice is also a Florida Main Street City--its downtown has landscaped streets and northern Italian architecture that is original to its 1925 design plan and akin to the Italian city for which it was named. After shopping, dining, and frolicking at the beach, tourists can go to nearby attractions at Venice Beach, such as the Jungle Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and the Ringling Museum.